The rise of tailored suiting

"As mass retailers struggle to appease a wide customer base, made-to-measure tailors have picked up the slack, thrusting men in well-fitted suits out into the world."

This past decade saw men return to tailored suiting like never before. It's no passing trend; just the reflection of the marketplace and a consumer who wants more for their expenditure. Once the exclusive territory of the elite, the aristocracy and gentry were those who summoned the sartorial prowess of Savile Row. Now tailored menswear is available to everyone and is now a way of life for many. So what sparked this sudden shift to a more personalised approach?

Beyond the price barrier

One of the biggest roadblocks to commissioning a tailored suit was the price. Certain fabrics and details can push the price to breathtaking heights, though, these days a well-made suit can be created for a fraction of what it once cost. Manufacturers and tailors have begun using more affordable fabrics and have partnered with newer mills. The result is a luxury experience at a more accessible price.

The perfect fit

Global fit trends have pushed men toward slim and skinny cuts, yet no person is built alike. Skinny fits from global retailers are frustrating to navigate for some gentlemen; cut from a standard pattern based on a fit model, those designs leave men squeezing into suits that just don’t work. Tailoring adds a personal touch of superior customer service and alleviates the headaches of off-the-rack shopping. Now that men know a perfect fit is possible, tailored suiting is the preferred way to get suited up.

Magnifying glass on well-dressed men

The popularity of successful shows like Suits, Mad Men and Boardwalk Empire saw TV screens around the globe populated by well-dressed men. A new infatuation with suiting arose from this entertainment trend. Men everywhere wanted to dress like their favorite actors and TV characters. There was a renewed interest in looking like a gentleman, a countermovement to the aggressive shift toward streetwear. This rising crop of men wanting to look their best turned to made-to-measure to help them achieve their new aesthetic.

The rise of tailored suiting might seem sudden, but it's a natural reaction for men’s fashion. As mass retailers struggle to appease a wide customer base, made-to-measure tailors have picked up the slack, thrusting men in well-fitted suits out into the world.